Quran authority, Michael Sells, will talk about his controversial book

Traditionally, the Quran is not translated from its original Arabic. Versions in other languages are called facsimiles because, like all supposed translations, they are not exact renderings.Michael Lloyd/The Oregonian

Sells revised his book, which focuses on early suras, or chapters, of the Quran in 2007. His English rendering of these suras, which are not officially translated from Arabic, according to Islamic law, has been the first experience for many Americans who are curious about the Quran.

Sells will talk about researching and writing the book and the controversy it invoked in his Friday night lecture. He'll lead a teacher development workshop at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Muslim Educational Trust, 10330 S.W. Scholls Ferry Road in Tigard. Workshop space is limited and cost is $20.